Wryneck
Jynx torquilla
Length 16-17cm

An extraordinary member of the woodpecker family. The intricately marked grey, brown, buff and black plumage looks remarkably like tree bark and affords the bird superb camouflage. Name derived from occasional habit of twisting its neck round. Feeds mainly on the ground, especially on ants. Nests in tree holes. Formerly widespread and quite common in England and Wales but now only very rare and erratic breeder in S. Birds, thought to be Scandinavian in origin, have begun to colonise Scottish Highlands, favouring open, park-like woodland; present there from May to August. Seen elsewhere in Britain as a scarce passage migrant; majority of records on E coast of England in September. Mostly silent but, on breeding grounds, raptor-like piping calls uttered by territorial birds.